Professors - Jump into STEM Jump into STEM

JUMP into STEM is seeking professors across a variety of fields who are affiliated with U.S. colleges and universities to join the 2024–2025 Professor Team. Interested professors should contact Yeonjin Bae at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

What is the Professor Team?

The Professor Team is a crucial part of the JUMP into STEM process. Members of the more than 40-person team from institutions across the country help develop new challenges each fall that impact current and critical research topics in building science, and then incorporate at least one of the challenges into coursework. Thank you to the 2023-2024 Professor Team!

Calling All Departments!

A key aspect to engaging students is connecting the JUMP into STEM program to departments relating to building technologies, including (but not limited to) engineering, engineering education, architecture, computer science, economics, data science, sociology, public policy, and more.

Your Role on the Professor Team

Two students (Jarrett Thomas and Jai Huntley) stand with their professor (Laura Battaglia) at ORNL

JUMP into STEM participants Jarrett Thomas and Jai Huntley, and Hampton University Professor Laura Battaglia

Interested professors collaborate with a network of professors and national laboratory researchers to incorporate at least one of the JUMP into STEM challenges into coursework as a course requirement with an associated grade. Each JUMP into STEM challenge will be complemented and supported by a recorded webinar designed to elaborate on the challenge topic to inspire student participation and ideation.

Members of the Professor Team also help shape the competition’s challenges to best fit curriculum requirements. Offering JUMP into STEM challenges as part of course curricula provides students a unique, hands-on learning experience—plus the prize is a 10-week paid internship at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, or Pacific Northwest National Laboratory!

Professor Team members are invited to (approximately) monthly meetings to receive updates on the competition, request clarification from the JUMP into STEM team as needed, and discuss implementation strategies and best practices with other Professor Team members.

Benefits of Joining the Team

Leverage a network of professors and researchers to develop a unique, hands-on student assignment for your course.
Challenges offer a deep dive into real-world building science issues and student mentorship from industry experts.
Meet service-related metrics for your university.
Form a connection for yourself and your students with the U.S. Department of Energy and its National Laboratories.
Make a meaningful impact on building science education.

Learn More

Webinar Recordings

Webinar Materials

Professor Team Webinar #1 – New Professors

Professor Team Webinar #1 – Returning Professors

Additional Resources

Additional resources will be provided.

Recruit your Colleagues

For those interested in sharing information about our Professor Team, download slides or a flyer.